New drought relief package

MEC announces immediate R5m and R20m to come

FARMERS in the Eastern Cape have welcomed multimillionrand funding by the provincial government to help them through the drought. But the farmers said it was still not enough for their needs.

Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said yesterday that the planting of lucerne and hay had begun in the Qamata, Blue Crane, Cradock and Hacop districts as part of a new R5-million investment.

This would help farmers buy livestock feed at farm-gate prices instead of at higher prices charged by retailers.

In addition to that, Qoboshiyane said, R20-million would be set aside in the next financial year for feed production.

While some farmers welcomed the funding, others said it was too little too late.

Somerset East lucerne farmer Mark Wienand said the R5-million funding would be a huge help, but the department needed to pump in more money.

“Equipment is needed and the seed is very expensive.

“I think they should invest more money if they want to make an impact with emerging farmers,” Wienand said.